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Scientific Assessment of High-Power Free-Electron Laser Technology (2009) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction and Principal Findings
Pages 3-6

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From page 3...
... The Navy successfully engaged a supersonic target in a crossing pattern, but after tests against a target in a head-on engagement, it was determined that the potential utility of the deuterium fluoride chemical laser was severely limited by the propagation issue of thermal blooming. At that point, the Navy discontinued the chemical laser program but continued technology studies to look for a laser that would produce wavelengths that optimized propagation.
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From page 4...
... These constraints are not insignificant and should be addressed in a follow-on study: • Sizing the free-electron laser beam generation system and engineering it to operate in a shipboard environment, including the following associated factors: -- Inherent ship vibration and motion; -- Radiation safety and shielding; -- Protection of the free-electron laser system from warfighting damage; -- Power conditioning; -- Support for cryosystem operation; -- Provision of vacuum; -- Transmission of the beam between the free-electron laser and the beam director; -- Engineering of the beam director; and --  anpower, personnel, and knowledge-base issues related to the operability, maintainability, and M repairability of the system by sailors. This study identifies the highest-priority scientific and technical gaps that will need to be overcome along the development path to achieve a megawatt-class free-electron laser.
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From page 5...
... Like other high-energy laser systems, free-electron lasers offer extremely fast tracking and response compared to ballistic devices for engaging maneuvering targets. Unlike other laser systems, they offer the freedom to choose wavelengths to match propagation windows in the region of maritime interest, and the free electrons that are their lasing medium facilitate removal of waste heat as well as electric power recovery.
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From page 6...
... , beam halo production and control (lack of benchmarked predictive models) , amplifier configurations, coherent synchrotron radiation, and the development of diagnostic techniques and algorithms for measuring experimental beam distributions with sufficient accuracy to provide realistic input to modeling.
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Key Terms

  • megawatt class
  • laser research
  • power levels
  • output power
  • deuterium fluoride

  • laser beam
  • chemical laser
  • laser development
  • laser technology
  • technical challenges

  • difficult technical
  • optical beam
  • naval applications
  • beam quality
  • beam halo

  • halo production
  • performance characteristics
  • coherent synchrotron
  • kilowatt device
  • fluoride chemical

  • effective weapon
  • thermal blooming
  • atmospheric propagation
  • beam breakup
  • chemical lasers

  • technical advance
  • laser program
  • navy issued
  • exhibit naval
  • laser study


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